(Credit: Josef Rabara)

The Czech Center New York has announced an upcoming series of concerts by mezzo-soprano Ester Pavlů.

“I’m delighted the Czech opera singer with Slovak roots will be able to perform for a series of concerts in New York, Chicago, and Cedar Rapids. I don’t know what better place to host a concert of masterworks by the likes of Antonín Dvořák, Leoš Janáček, and Bohuslav Martinů than in historically significant cities for the Czech and Slovak diasporas. Set to take place during the Advent season, all concerts will feature a unique atmosphere, though perhaps the most impressive moments will be found within the short music program in Spillville, a small town in Iowa, where the oldest Czech Catholic Church still stands. In the Church of St. Wenceslaus — where Antonín Dvořák famously played — we’ll have the pleasure of hearing Dvořák’s ‘Biblical Songs’ along with a handful of Czech and Slovak Christmas carols,” said Director of Czech Center New York Miroslav Konvalina in an official press release.

Ester Pavlů is a well known mezzo-soprano. She has performed with such orchestras as the Czech Philharmonic, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, the Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic, the Slovak Košice State Philharmonic, the FOK Prague Symphony Orchestra, the Pilsen Philharmonic, and the PKF Prague Philharmonic. The mezzo-soprano is slated to appear in the title role of Bizet’s “Carmen” at the National Theatre in Prague between March and June 2022.

The first concert will take place in the Bohemian National Hall in New York on Dec. 7, 2021, with additional concerts on Dec, 8, 10 & 11, 2021 in Chicago, Cedar Rapids, and Spillville, respectively.